distressed 1 of 2

adjective

Definition of distressednext
1
as in troubled

Related Words

Relevance

Dissimilar Words
2
as in depressed

Related Words

Dissimilar Words

distressed

2 of 2

verb

past tense of distress
as in alarmed
to trouble the mind of; to make uneasy don't let all the bad news distress you

Synonyms & Similar Words

Antonyms & Near Antonyms

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of distressed
Adjective
The suspenseful shark sequences in an underwater cage where two distressed heroines Tatiana (Laura Marano) and Kaley (Christina Ochoa) get trapped are shockingly good while a third act ratchets up the blood and the tension. — Randy Myers, Mercury News, 30 July 2026 The steady rise in foreclosure filings suggests distressed inventory and demand for fast-closing financing may continue to expand even as insurance costs keep some investors on the sidelines. — Kaitlyn Gomez, Miami Herald, 29 July 2026
Verb
And so, hounded by creditors and distressed by mounting debts, the remaining family had to leave their formerly genteel surroundings for the gritty, unsentimental shadows of the Yoshiwara. — Literary Hub, 28 May 2026 Today many Coloradans are saddened and distressed by this unjustifiable act but not at all surprised. — Dp Opinion, Denver Post, 19 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for distressed
Recent Examples of Synonyms for distressed
  1. troubled
  2. depressed
  3. alarmed
  4. agitated
  5. reduced
  6. disturbed
  7. ruined
  8. distracted
Adjective
  • The union has also raised questions about Cázares' role as fiscal advisor, pointing to her previous work overseeing other financially troubled school districts and questioning her compensation.
    — Richard Ramos, CBS News, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Politically speaking, Pompano Beach is a deeply troubled place these days.
    — Steve Bousquet, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of troubled
Adjective
  • When Magic Lotus becomes secretly depressed after another death in the ring at his hands, Tongchai supports his exile into nature from the boxing world.
    — Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 July 2026
  • For those feeling exhausted, depressed or burned out, or as if one more issue or crisis will be tomorrow’s tipping point, now is the time to act.
    — Dr. Talia Varley, Forbes.com, 27 July 2026
Definition of depressed
Verb
  • Among those alarmed by the state’s mounting repression are civil-society figures who have staunchly opposed the war with America and Israel.
    — Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 30 July 2026
  • An OpenAI test that escaped its cage and alarmed the AI and cybersecurity industry attacked more than just Hugging Face, the AI platform that initially appeared to be the sole victim of the virtual lab leak.
    — David Goldman, CNN Money, 29 July 2026
Definition of alarmed
Adjective
  • Clancy became agitated, but never fully woke up once given the Narcan, which is typically used to treat heroin or fentanyl overdoes, Constanzo noted.
    — Andi Babineau, CNN Money, 30 July 2026
  • Costanzo said Clancy became agitated, reaching out her arms, but never woke up.
    — Kristina Rex, CBS News, 30 July 2026
Definition of agitated
Adjective
  • Other enhancements included a reduced cabin altitude of 4,850 feet, improved soundproofing, a larger galley, and a new 24-inch 4K video display.
    — Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 3 Aug. 2026
  • The wearer of the yellow jersey was nailed on for another win, this time in a bunch sprint instead of a reduced pack.
    — Jessica Hopkins, New York Times, 2 Aug. 2026
Definition of reduced
Verb
  • The size and ferocity of the La Mierla fire disturbed Aragüés, yet the situation was about to get worse.
    — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 1 Aug. 2026
  • Turner said the treatment of the teenagers in Seattle disturbed her even more.
    — Jackson Thompson OutKick, FOXNews.com, 1 Aug. 2026
Definition of disturbed
Adjective
  • Sitting on the rim of his consciousness was always cataclysm, the muted whisper of a ruined world.
    — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 10 July 2026
Definition of ruined
Verb
  • The movie itself disappoints him for its deviations from the Stephen King novel (including this detail may help preempt criticisms over this adaptation), but he’s also distracted by the presence of a strikingly handsome stranger (Homer Gere).
    — Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 6 Aug. 2026
  • There is zero pressure on this team from a fan base whose attention span, and passion, will soon be distracted by the arrival of another football season.
    — Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Aug. 2026
Definition of distracted

Browse Nearby Words

distress
distressed
distresses
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Distressed.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/distressed. Accessed 7 Aug. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on distressed

Nglish: Translation of distressed for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of invidious

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

'Sneaked' or 'Snuck': Which is correct?

Why does English have so many silent letters?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Aug. 7

How long is a jiffy?
See More

Popular

See More

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words

The Longest Long Words List

It's a Scorcher! Words for the Summer Heat
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
asap street sign
Figure Out These Acronyms ASAP You don't have to be a NASA engineer to get these...
See All